Credit: The Associated Press

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe speaks during a press conference at the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo, Wednesday, June 26, 2013. Abe said his ruling party must win next month's upper house elections to ensure a stable future for Japan after years of indecisive politics hampered by a divided parliament.

TOKYO — Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Wednesday that his ruling party must win next month's upper house elections to ensure a stable future for Japan after years of indecisive politics hampered by a divided parliament.

Abe said his economic policies, which include monetary easing and higher public spending, had significantly changed Japan's mood since he took office six months ago following the Liberal Democratic Party's sweeping election victory in the more powerful lower house.